Lone Star Smiles
Cosmetic Dentistry
Genetics, age, past poor habits, and other factors can all have a dramatic effect on the way your teeth look. You may suffer from discoloration, alignment problems, teeth that are too small, or other aesthetic concerns that affect your smile and confidence.
Our skilled dentists want to help you improve the appearance of your smile, and with the services detailed below, we can eliminate imperfections and give you a look you thought was only reserved for stars in Hollywood. If you’re ready to look flawless, then Lone Star Smiles, Dr. Vera is happy to help you achieve your smile make-over goals.
Tooth Whitening
Tooth discoloration is unavoidable, and as time goes on, you may feel like your smile has lost a little bite of sparkle. To regain those bright, white teeth you used to see, Lone Star Smiles offers easy and affordable tooth whitening to our patients looking to fight stains that accumulate over time. That is why we offer two types of professional-grade whitening to our patients: Complimentary at-home whitening and in-office ZOOM whitening.
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For patients who want to enjoy in-office results from the comfort of home, we provide patients with custom trays and professional whitening gel. This is a great option for those who enjoy doing things themselves and are not in a hurry, as optimal results will take one to two weeks. By the end of your treatment, your teeth will be several shades whiter.
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Zoom whitening is the gold standard when it comes to in-office whitening, and is a great options for patients who want instant results. In only one visit your teeth will become dramatically whiter.
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Staining is primarily caused by the foods and drinks we consume but can be made worse by tobacco use and thinning of tooth enamel. After whitening, your new smile can stay bright for several years with the right aftercare. Immediately after whitening, while the gel continue to break down stains, it is best to stick to a “whitening diet,” which consists of light colored foods. Afterward, maintain your home oral hygiene habits by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing every night. Limit your contact with anything that may lead to new stains, such as coffee, tea, or smoking. And most importantly, don’t forget to visit your dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning and checkup.
Bioclear
Bioclear is one of the newest advancements in cosmetic dentistry. This revolutionary method of restoring teeth provides natural, long lasting restorations in a single treatment appointment. It is the most conservative and esthetic alternative to porcelain crowns and veneers and traditional bonding.
Dr. Vera is certified Bioclear provider and excited to offer Bioclear as an option to patients who may be interested in a more conservative approach to reaching their smile goals.
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Bioclear is a modern dental treatment that repairs and improves the look of your teeth without the need for crowns or veneers. It uses a special technique to add strong, tooth-colored material to your teeth, creating a smooth, natural-looking smile. It’s great for fixing chips, gaps, black triangles, and worn-down teeth—all while preserving more of your natural tooth.
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Almost anyone can be a candidate for Bioclear, but the best way to know for sure is through a personal consultation with Dr. Vera. During your visit, she’ll take the time to understand your goals and evaluate your overall oral health to see if Bioclear is the right solution for you.
Bioclear may be a great option if you have:
Black triangles between your teeth and gums
Gaps or spaces between teeth
Small or misshapen teeth
Worn-down or short-looking teeth
Cracked, chipped, or broken teeth
Together, you and Dr. Vera can decide on a treatment plan that’s tailored to your unique smile.
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The Bioclear treatment typically involves the following steps:
Consultation: The dentist will assess the patient’s dental needs and determine whether Bioclear is the right solution.
Preparation: The teeth are thoroughly cleaned to remove any plaque or debris. Minimal preparation of the tooth surface may be required.
Application: The dentist places the clear matrix around the tooth and applies the composite resin. The material is shaped and contoured to create the desired form.
Curing: A special curing light is used to harden the composite resin, ensuring a strong and durable bond.
Finishing Touches: The dentist polishes the restoration to achieve a smooth, glossy finish that blends seamlessly with the natural teeth.
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Like many cosmetic dental procedures, Bioclear treatment is not typically covered by dental insurance.
At our office, we’re happy to help you make the most of your insurance benefits. As a courtesy, we can submit claims on your behalf and request consideration for alternative treatment coverage, but it does not guarantee payment from your insurance company.
We’re happy to answer any insurance or treatment questions you may have during your consultation visit.
Porcelain Veneers
Everyone wants a Hollywood smile, but few people are lucky enough to have naturally bright, straight, and perfectly shaped teeth. Luckily, anyone can achieve a smile like the stars without the Hollywood price, with dental veneers. At Lone Star Smiles, we offer a wide range of cosmetic dentistry options to create a flawless smile our patients are proud to show off. Veneers are custom made porcelain restorations that go over the teeth to improve their shape, size, position, and color, and with the help of our highly skilled dentists and local dental laboratory, we can provide anyone the smile of their dreams.
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Veneers are an all porcelain coverings cemented over prepared teeth to correct or change the shape, size, color, and position of the teeth. Once placed on the teeth, your veneers will look like a healthy, natural part of your smile. Stain resistant and durable, porcelain is the ideal material to create a flawless smile that will last. Dr. Vera has extensive experience creating custom-made veneers in Murphy, and has a strong relationship with a local dental lab to help create a smile you can be proud of.
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Once you’ve decided to move forward with the veneer process, it only takes two appointments to create a perfect, custom smile! After your consultation appointment, where x-rays, photos, and models are taken, your first treatment appointment will involve the reduction of enamel, or the outer layer of the teeth, to give Dr. Vera space to place porcelain over the teeth. A model of the teeth is created for the lab to make your veneers and you leave with temporaries in place.
At the second appointment, your temporaries are removed and your final veneers are placed. Prior to cementation, you ensure that the veneers are well sealed and you are happy with the look! At this appointment, one last mold will be taken to make you a custom-fit occlusal guard to protect you new smile from trauma or nighttime clenching and grinding.
Once in place, your porcelain veneers can last for 10 years or longer with proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits. To keep your new and improved smile shining as long as possible, we recommend keeping the following oral hygiene tips in mind:
Brush your teeth for two minutes, twice daily
Use a soft or ultra soft bristled toothbrush and minimally abrasive toothpaste to avoid wear to your porcelain veneers
Floss at least once each day
Visit our office twice each year for dental exams and teeth cleanings.
Crowns & Bridges
A strong and functional set of teeth is essential to a confident smile, but over the years, our teeth can be weakened by an injury, normal use, or decay. Crowns and bridges are custom-made porcelain coverings that are cemented over teeth to restore their shape, size, appearance, and function. At Lone Star Smiles, Dr. Vera selects the most natural looking materials available from our dental laboratory partners to create beautiful crowns and bridges, allowing our patients to reclaim the beauty and strength of their smile.
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DENTAL CROWNS
A “cap” or crown is a common dental restoration used to repair a severely damaged tooth. The dental crown is made specifically for each patient, and will fit completely over the damaged tooth, or teeth, to protect them and improve functionality. Crowns are cemented in place and created to blend naturally with the neighboring teeth.
DENTAL BRIDGES
Bridges are one of the ways we can help patients replace a missing tooth or teeth. A dental bridge is made up of a replacement tooth with single crowns on either end. These crowns are cemented over the remaining natural teeth to hold the bridge in place, allowing us to “bridge” the gap between natural, healthy teeth.
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Both dental crowns and bridges are created in an two-appointment process. During the first visit, the natural teeth used to anchor the crown or bridge is prepared and an impression is created for the dental lab to design and create the restoration. Before you leave, a temporary crown or bridge will be placed to protect your tooth, or teeth, and maintain the space for your final restoration. Once we received your crown or bridge, you will return to our office for a second visit when the temporary will be removed and your flawless, custom crown or bridge will be cemented in place.
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How Long Will my Crown or Bridge Last?
Crowns and bridges are an investment, and with the proper care, can last you up to a decade or longer. In order to maintain the integrity and health of your new restoration, you should continue brushing and flossing your teeth as usual. One of our team members will be happy to walk you through optimal at-home care, review your oral hygiene products, and help you to make the most of your dental care. The following tips can also help your restorations last:
When brushing, use an extra-soft tooth brush and non-abrasive toothpaste
Don’t use your teeth as tools
Don’t chew overly hard or sticky foods
Wear an athletic mouth guard for sports
Wear a night guard if you clench or grind your teeth
Visit your dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning and checkup
Tooth Colored Fillings
When treating tooth decay or broken or fractured teeth, traditionally, metal fillings were the standard material for fillings, but today everyone can enjoy a natural-looking solution with bonded tooth colored fillings.
Composite resin, or tooth colored fillings, allow our doctors to repair minor damage or tooth decay with a conservative, metal-free technique that gives patients long-term results they can smile about.